The YNAB Method

If You Aren't Changing Your Budget, You're Doing It Wrong

Change your budget as you need to. It will actually keep you going. Instead of feeling like a failure, you'll feel like you're winning.

Lindsey Burgess

March 8, 2016

Why We Budget to Zero

YNAB's Rule One is Give Every Dollar A Job. Five short words. Easy and concise and that's part of the reason we like it so much.

Todd Curtis

April 14, 2016

Why Embracing Your True Expenses is Everything

As you pull together your list of larger, less frequent expenses, you can start estimating what they will cost and plan for them.

Lindsey Burgess

February 25, 2016

The Importance of Aging Your Money When Your Income is Unpredictable

The goal is to live off of money that is at least 30 days old. And there are three significant benefits that make this a goal you want to pursue right away.

Todd Curtis

November 17, 2019

The Ultimate Rule Two Expense

We talk a lot about the importance of funding your Rule Two categories because it is really important.

Lindsey Burgess

September 6, 2016

The Secret To Staying Out of Debt

Maybe you've gotten out of debt (and it was so much hard work!) only to frustratingly fall right back into it. What gives?

Jesse Mecham

June 1, 2016

The New Rules

Amidst the launch craziness, we didn't get to talk much about the fact that we renamed two of our rules. So here we go—we renamed two of our rules. The idea was to better focus on the core principles behind them. Rule One: Give Every Dollar a Job remains our rock. Rule One is all about dealing with the now.

Lindsey Burgess

January 27, 2016

How Old Is Your Money?

No financial number offers a complete picture of your financial stability or flexibility. Learn what the age of money says about your budget.

Jesse Mecham

January 8, 2016

What is a Sinking Fund & How To Set One Up

What is a sinking fund? It's when you set aside a money each month to prepare for non-monthly expenses. Learn how to set one up!

Jesse Mecham

April 11, 2023

Budgeting: Important Questions Needing Answers

Three important questions to ask yourself as you build your budget that will set you up for financial success.

Jesse Mecham

July 28, 2007

Waiting for the Perfect Month? Just Keep on Waiting

The normal month is the month where an unbelievable amount of unexpected things culminate and knock you financially off balance.

Jesse Mecham

August 31, 2006

Money Trick: Give Every Dollar a J-O-B

If someone were to ask me to give them one piece of advice regarding their money I would tell them one thing: Get on a written budget.

Jesse Mecham

October 14, 2005

Rainy Day Funds: What Are They and Do You Need Them?

Wondering what a rainy day fund is? We'll explain what rainy day funds are and why you need 'em in this post.

Jesse Mecham

May 16, 2018

What Is a Zero-Based Budget?

A zero based budget is about the most boring, uneventful thing you can possibly imagine with your money. It’s so simple, anyone can do it.

Jesse Mecham

July 25, 2022

Trying to Get a Month Ahead with Your Money? Read This

Rule Four, as I’ve talked about before, is budgeting bliss, your money Mecca. It’ll let you sleep better. You’ll be able to handle variable income with ease. Your bill-paying process will be studied by Harvard Business School students as a case for efficiency and effectiveness.

Jesse Mecham

March 7, 2011

Life with Rule Four: Money Management Time-Saver

My guess is that you spend 4-8 hours per month “managing” your money. I use the word “managing” with plenty of definitional slack.

Jesse Mecham

March 2, 2011

The Power of Finite Resources. Why Rule One is 'Rule One'

My dear mother-in-law bought my oldest son (6 1/2), a bank that has three sections: Tithing (10%) Savings (45%) Fun Money (45%) It’s a budget :) My 4 1/2-year-old doesn’t have a bank yet (anyone have any recommendations on a good one that’s sturdy? And preferably makes only Fun Money and Tithing accessi

Jesse Mecham

February 10, 2011

A Method to Your Madness

As the YNAB Team, we’ve been living and breathing YNAB 4 and its evolution for the past 18 months. We’ve debated minutiae that would drive most of you insane (“This is a pixel off.")

Jesse Mecham

June 25, 2012

A friend

sent you a free month of YNAB!

The YNAB Method

If You Aren't Changing Your Budget, You're Doing It Wrong

Why We Budget to Zero

Why Embracing Your True Expenses is Everything

The Importance of Aging Your Money When Your Income is Unpredictable

The Ultimate Rule Two Expense

The Secret To Staying Out of Debt

The New Rules

How Old Is Your Money?

What is a Sinking Fund & How To Set One Up

Budgeting: Important Questions Needing Answers

Waiting for the Perfect Month? Just Keep on Waiting

Money Trick: Give Every Dollar a J-O-B

Rainy Day Funds: What Are They and Do You Need Them?

What Is a Zero-Based Budget?

Trying to Get a Month Ahead with Your Money? Read This

Life with Rule Four: Money Management Time-Saver

The Power of Finite Resources. Why Rule One is 'Rule One'

A Method to Your Madness